There’s something about reading dark fairy tales around Christmas that tickles my fancy. I’m glad I waited till Christmas Eve to read this one. The romance was very cute.

I received an advanced copy of Grimm Curiosities from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I always forget how much I enjoy historical romances until I read them and fall in love all over again. I don't know what it is about them, but something strikes my fancy, and I adore them. In fact, I don't think I've ever read one I didn't like, and Grimm Curiosities is no exception.

This story's gothic, spooky, and Christmas tones were an interesting mash-up. It was very well done and lent the atmosphere of a cozy Christmas mystery with a little bit of fantasy and the paranormal thrown in. I've never read a genre like this, but I will absolutely be on the lookout for more books like this because it was a treat. It had a little bit of a lot of things I love, and nothing felt so overpowering that it took away from any other aspects. Everything was very well balanced.

My one complaint is that I would have liked more of everything—more of the atmosphere, more of the setting, more of the characters. Despite how much I liked it, everything did feel a little underdeveloped, and it all moved very quickly. Sometimes, there were some leaps made that I couldn't follow, and I would have liked more information about what was going on. To me, part of what makes a great mystery is, as the reader, being able to figure out some things before the characters, whether right or wrong. However, in Grimm Curiosities, there was a specific path the author wanted us to follow. I didn't feel like I could make any logical conclusions on my own because I didn't understand what the information the characters were getting meant. Maybe that's just me being nitpicky, though.

On a more positive note, I liked Lizzy as a character. Though we didn't see much character growth, she was steadfast in her beliefs. All she wanted was to keep her father's shop running and figure out how to help her mother, and every decision she made furthered those goals. There wasn't a time when I needed clarification about what she did or said because everything fit with her character. I appreciated that about her.

Anyone who's a fan of cozy historical mysteries should give Grimm Curiosities a try.

I usually really enjoy SLF's books but this one fell a little flat. May be a more me problem than the book though.

I absolutely loved this book. This book is like two of my favorite books put together. One book is Narnia and the other is any type of ghost story. It has some action towards the end and it makes the.story at the end so much more beautiful. It is a love.story mixed in with a little of this and that. Beautifully written and this book lets your imagination run wild. This book is a must read and I am sure you will love it as I did. I would love to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

This was an excellent book and a very easy read, it felt in many ways like a cozy mystery more than a gothic fantasy. I enjoyed the main character and her shop of curios, and the trail of clues and secrets that unfolds around her. Well written and good pacing.

The setting is gold! I loved the book and it was very creepy but still beautiful. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A creepy, wintry tale that is both riveting and endearing--the perfect cozy read to compliment a warm beverage on a chilly weekend.

I LOVED this story. Where to begin? Firstly, I devoured it. The setting of 1800s York is well researched and descriptive. Fisher even included a York terms reference guide in the which I adored and helped me know what a ginnel was, among other Yorkish words.

Fisher weaves the tale of a modern woman caring for her invalid mother by running a Curiosities shop in a city steeped in centuries of history. What's not to love? When a young Baron shows up wanting to speak to her mother about a ghost, shenanigans ensue.

I loved the relationship between Lizzy and Antony. It developed so naturally. THIS is a romantasy where the romance is inseparable from the plot. I've read too many "romantasies" where one could separate the two without any hindrance to one or the other. Grimm Curiosities is not like that. The romance and plot develop together and build on one another to further the narrative to its satisfying conclusion, and I really really enjoyed it. Edge of my seat slow burn. It's *chef's kiss*.

Fisher also weaves in old Christmas folktales and ghosts with a villain and a sinister mystery surrounding a set of books and two hauntings.

I'm in awe of how Fisher blended all of these themes together into a seamless, edge of my seat plot. The writing is so so good.

This book is perfect for readers seeking a Halloween OR Christmas story, with plenty of creepy/snowy vibes to enjoy curled up in a blankie with a brew of your favorite warm beverage.

Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher is a historical supernatural Christmas romantasy set in mid-nineteenth century York, England. After her father's sudden passing from diabetes complications and her mother falling catatonic after a seance, young Lizzy Grimm runs the family curio store on her own. As Lizzy struggles to make ends meet and repay her family's mounting debts, she encounters two men who will change her life forever: Ambrose Stoke, who has a strangely intense interest in some mysterious old books in the shop, and Antony Carlisle, a lord-to-be whose younger sister bears an uncanny resemblance to the condition of Lizzy's mother. in this novel that is part ghost story, part mystery, and has a generous helping of romance, Lizzy must save her family, her livelihood, and her heart's desire, all before Christmas. Really, with all that going on, what's a girl to do?

First, a note: Despite the title, the novel has no connection to the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, except for the fact that Lizzy's paternal relatives originally hail from Bavaria. The book actually draws upon Yule lore, perfect for a supernatural Christmas/Yuletide read.

Something I very much enjoyed about the book is Fisher's use of location-specific terminology. Research is very important to Fisher, and she includes both a glossary at the beginning of the book to introduce York-specific vocabulary (ex. 'ginnel' and 'snicket'), as well as a list of research references in the acknowledgements for readers who want to learn more about York and its fascinating history. Similarly, Fisher is very good at creating a sense of place. The descriptions of alleys, interior spaces, and fantastical landscapes are easily imagined from her writing, and remain the best-remembered aspects of the novel, along with the visual descriptions of ghosts and folkloric creatures, such as the mythological 'printer's devil.'

That said, it would have been nice to explore the mythology and world-building further, especially given the importance of the mysterious books and their connection to folklore and the supernatural. Frankly, the books, the ghosts, and the mystery elements were a lot more interesting to me than the romance; I have no complaints about the slow burn or the PG spice levels, but until almost the end of the book, the chapters told from Antony's POV felt a bit unnecessary--that page space could have been used to explore the Sight, for example. The pacing is also fairly slow in the beginning, but picks up once Croft & Croft is introduced. (Charlie Croft is one of my personal favorite characters in this novel. It would have been nice to see Charlie play a larger role... Perhaps if Fisher makes this into a series, there can be a book about Charlie next?)

In short, this book has interesting ideas, though the delivery could use a bit of restructuring. Those who enjoy C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan's tales of the fae, Jane Austen's literary works, The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan, and/or Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh may also enjoy this novel.

Having not read Salt and Broom by this author I can definitely say I will be seeking it out!
What an exciting start to my Christmas reads for this year. I loved the characters! The way they interacted with each other I felt was very moreish. The time period I adore. Victorian delights in every page. The setting was great at each section.
The similarities to a certain children's book that I am about to re-read are of course apparent(near the end)but it works so well and in its own way.
The whole thing just works so well. I would really adore reading more about these characters if there was a second book in some way to follow this.

The spooky elements were great and the twist in the story at the end I didnt expect.
Perfect winter read! Love it 🥰

Thank you to the Author and publisher through Netgalley for the ARC.
Pub date was 5/11/24.

Thank you NetGalley and 47North Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

I can’t get over how much I love Fischer’s work. Salt & Broom was my first read of the year and it was one of my favorites of the year. So, when I saw Grimm Curiosities, I requested it right away.
Creepy, suspenseful, romantic, mysterious. I was on the edge of my seat with this book. Lizzy runs a curiosity shop all by herself after her dad has passed and her mother has become a ghost of herself. One day, a man comes in looking for a rare collection of books and off goes the mystery! York setting, Victorian era, a budding romance, and a mystery to solve… what more did I need? Nothing. I had such a fun time reading this book and was hooked from the first page.

Content Warning: death, ghosts, monsters, horror elements

Try this book if you liked:
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fischer

4.5 Stars

Grimm Curiosities is the perfect book for the fall/winter season and I could not have read it at a better time (okay, except maybe in deep winter)! I really adored this book and had such a truly enjoyable time with it. I loved the mix of genres, with historical fiction, gothic, fantasy, even some romance that I didn't mind–this book really had it all. I was immediately hooked due to the atmosphere that was both cozy and spooky at the same time and honestly made me feel right at home. I'll admit that I had hoped it'd be slightly spookier than it was, but I can't complain about the story at all for what it was because it was perfect how it was! I also just love a curiosity shop, so this grabbed me immediately. Lizzy Grimm was a really fun character to follow and I just had such a blast with all the characters. Overall, I definitely would recommend this one and think it's a perfect winter read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley. Following is my honest review.

Left alone with her ailing mother, Lizzy runs thepossibly haunted family curiosity shop left to her by her deceased father in England in 1851. Without prospects for a marriage and unsure of her mother's health, she is teetering on the edge of debtor's prison and eviction unless she can save the shop. Scraping by to make ends meet, she befriends Antony Carlisle, whose own sister suffers from a similar ailment as Lizzy's mother. However, his father refuses to allow Antony's developing feelings to take root because of his plans to marry Antony to an heiress.

It looks like all is lost.

But Antony refuses to follow his father's edicts and Lizzy and Antony join one another in trying to solve the mysterious illnesses and determine if the curiosity shop is truly haunted or not.

I appreciated the rule-breaking, custom-flouting behavior of both Antony and Lizzy. Though bound within the social mores of their time and location, they try to stay true to their own hearts and find their paths to one another and solve the mysteries in their lives. Town gossip and the restrictions placed on especially women feature strongly in this novel. I recommend this book for those who like a little something different. It won't disappoint.

Grimm Curiosities was a wonderful, well written book that defies genres and although new is reminiscent of all the classics. I honestly was surprised how much I loved it! It has all the elements of a slow burn romance, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery rolled into a story with wintery Christmas vibes! It follows Lizzy Grimm and her family and lots of other characters around the town of York. It has magic, strong female characters, mythology, ghosts and a great plot! I didn’t even know Christmas was involved until I read it and this is a perfect time to read this adult fairy tale like story!

To paraphrase a much more famous Victorian Christmas ghost story, Herbert Grimm was dead, to begin with.

And, while he has a chance to rectify his mistakes and failures from the afterlife, it’s a job that’s much too big for any number of spirits to handle in just one night.

It’s 1851 in cold, snowy, OLD York, and Lizzy Grimm has been doing her best to maintain the curiosity shop she inherited from her father – as well as somehow keep body and soul together for both herself and her mother.

The problem for Lizzy, the many, many problems for Lizzy, is that entirely too many of her father’s former customers and suppliers, both, are unwilling to deal with a woman, and her mother is ill and can’t help with the shop. Mrs. Grimm has disconnected completely from the world and can’t even help herself without supervision.

The rent is 10 weeks behind and getting more behind by the day, Lizzy can barely keep herself and her mother fed and prevent them from freezing to death in the winter cold. Christmas is less than two weeks away and, while business always improves BEFORE the holiday, it hasn’t improved enough to see them through the dearth of the bitter months after.

Which is the day when two men of considerably better means than Lizzy enter the shop and each present her with potential solutions to her woes. Collector Ambrose Stokes wants to purchase some mysterious books of myth and legend that her father set aside with a note not to sell. Antony Carlisle comes in seeking a present for his younger sister. A sister who is in the exact same walking somnambulance state as Lizzy’s mother.

It’s clear from the beginning that Stokes only wants to use her to get at something he covets badly and probably shouldn’t have. Meanwhile Carlisle is obviously searching for both help and friendship – even if he doesn’t recognize that the latter is only a small portion of what he seeks in Lizzy’s company.

Stokes can solve her immediate financial difficulties, while Carlisle is likely to only cause her heartbreak – even if that is far, far, from his intention.

Between them, they open up her world to the true legacy that her father intended to leave her. A legacy that holds the key to every question she’s ever asked, and every answer she never thought she’d need.

Escape Rating B-: I picked this up because it looked like it was just the kind of horror-adjacent story that I generally enjoy. And because it was set in York, the setting of one of my favorite historical mystery series. (If you’re curious about the York of four centuries before this story, check out the Owen Archer series of historical mysteries, beginning with The Apothecary Rose. Because if there is one thing that Lizzy Grimm is right about, it’s that York is absolutely rife with stories just waiting to be told!)

So I was expecting a bit more Halloween and got a whole lot of the Victorian Christmas season instead – mixed with a trip to Narnia and more than a soupçon of historical romance. Even though even a soupçon of actual soup is something that Lizzy has been forced to worry about a LOT.

Also, and I know this is a ‘me’ thing and may not be a ‘you’ thing, Lizzy’s straddle of the line between having agency as the protagonist while being a woman of her time was even more uncomfortable for me than it was for her – and it was plenty uncomfortable for her. It just wasn’t what I was in the mood for and your reading mileage may definitely vary.

What was absolutely fascinating was the way that the supernatural and paranormal crept into the story on ghostly feet, that the gift she thought had passed her by was doing its damndest to warn her that she was heading for her own damnation if she didn’t figure out what was going on on both sides of the actual, honest-to-supernatural, wardrobe before it was too late.

From the standpoint of this reader, it felt like this story had too many irons in its fire. Each of the individual parts had the potential to be a whole, fascinating story, from the ghostly visitations to the world inside the cabinet, to the myths and legends coming to life to the mystery of just who the collector was and what he was up to and last but not least to the class-barrier hopping romance between Carlisle and Lizzy with Carlisle’s overbearing father serving as second-villain.

There were a LOT of fascinating story parts trying to weave themselves into a whole cloth – and they didn’t quite manage it and/or there wasn’t enough book for them to manage in. It had the bones of a good story – but either not quite enough bones or not enough flesh for the story-creature it was meant to be.

This one gripped me right away because the atmosphere was so amazing — a little curious and spooky, but with the cozy backdrop of Christmas. I loved it. It’s clear that the author did a great deal of historical and folkloric research, which came through in the story. This book had elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance, all woven together really well into the historical backdrop.

Based on the blurb of the book I thought the story would lean a bit more onto the spooky and mysterious side, what with the antique shop with ghosts description. Instead this book would be more accurately described as a cozy mystery-romance.

While It was definitely not the kind of book nor story I expected I have to say I didn't dislike It. I did felt like there was little plot going on but it was precisely that fact and the not quite urgent nature of the situation that gave the story the cozy mystery vibe. Depending on what you're seeking this might be good or bad.

I think the romance was especially well done. In fact, I would say it's the focal point of the book. It's a proper slow burn, where the characters start as actúal friends and you can feel their chemistry and see why they like each other. Both characters aré also very nice people. Antony can end up feeling like too nice of a man, though, especially considering the time period the book is set in, but as far as love interests he's great, and I would gladly suspend muy disbelief for the rare nice respectful love interest. Regarding Lizzy, I think her characters is very well written. She does what she needs to do when the situation ask for it, even if it's hard, which paints her as a very intelligent young woman who takes very rational decisions for the good of her family, even if that means parting with important objects or people. It's a nice change of pace to have a protagonista who you root foor instead of someone that angers you with every single stupid decisión.

Ultimately, while the characters aré very well written and the romance Is very nice, I came to the book because of the spooky story, so I ended up a bit disappointed and let down, but if you came to it aware of it being cozy mystery I think you will find it a very enjoyable read.

Grimm Curiosities has a lot of elements that I typically enjoy, and I think Fisher has a really lovely writing style. However, unfortunately, the book is less than the sum of its parts. I did enjoy most of the book, and if you enjoy historical fantasy, Fisher's earlier work, or the Victorian era, I think this may appeal. Fisher has. a good eye for period detail and atmosphere that is used to excellent effect here.

However, I was deeply unsatisfied by the pacing/structure of the story itself. What began as a gothic/paranormal mystery turns, in the final third of the book, into a mythological portal fantasy. That isn't to say these two genres couldn't play well together, but the last act is so rushed that the slow, thoughtful buildup Fisher gives in the first two acts feels rather unraveled by the end. And if the pacing issues weren't enough, I didn't find any of the characters other than Lizzie, the main point of view narrator, to be interesting or deeply characterized; our second protagonist, Antony, in particular, suffers. He has few distinguishing characteristics or quirks that stand out throughout the novel.

Now, I realize that this review skews more negative than I meant for it to, because I genuinely really enjoyed the first 2/3rds of the book! I really like how Fisher built Lizzie's world and I like that she made common sense choices that resonated both as a modern reader but also made sense for her context. I would pick up more of Fisher's work--perhaps the issue with pacing is just me or just this book.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

4.5 stars

Poor shopgirl Lizzy Grimm is beset by troubles - her beloved father passed away only a few short years ago, and it's been so difficult to make ends in their old curios shop, Grimm Curiosities, in the heart of old York, England. Her mother, who was able to commune with the dead, did so to bring in some extra income, although after one of her typical readings a few months prior she suddenly became mute and unresponsive to stimuli. So Lizzy thinks her luck must be finally turning around when a strange gentleman turns up in the shop, mentions an old acquaintanceship with her late father, and is willing to buy all the copies of a series of books from a very mysterious book set of ancient folklore and myths. And at a handsome price too! However, as she begins to dig deeper into the history of these puzzling books, it seems as though her father left a dire warning against ever selling them. To add further fuel to the fire of weirdness, Antony Carlisle, son of the local Lord Carlisle, also finds his way into the shop and strikes up a discreet friendship with Lizzy as he tells her that his sister is also suffering from the same affliction as her own mother, also coincidentally after communing with spirits. Can Lizzy and Antony work together to figure out what is going on with these baffling books, cure their stricken family members, and save her beloved family shop?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There was such an air of Victorian mystery and charm with some great supernatural elements within the story. I'm such a sucker for a haunting gothic ghost story. I didn't figure out certain plotlines until I was practically on top of them which is always a fun way to experience the story; I didn't have everything squared away all at once and was driven to figure out what exactly was going on. The relationship between Lizzy and Anthony developed slowly and, while not very historically accurate, was quite sweet and refreshing.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Sharon Lynn Fisher, and 47North for giving me access to a free eARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

Grimm Curiosities, set in the mid-nineteenth century, introduces readers to Lizzy, a young woman grappling with the burden of running her family’s unique antique and collector store. Since her father’s passing three years prior, Lizzy has struggled to keep the business afloat while caring for her mother, who has fallen ill from a mysterious affliction. When Antony, the son of a local baron, enters Lizzy’s shop seeking help for his sister, who is also suffering from the same strange illness, the two set off on a journey to uncover a cure. Their search leads them to a rare and ancient collection of books on myths, enchantments, and folklore—texts that hold the secrets to the illness. However, a rival collector also covets these books, intent on acquiring them all for himself.

Fisher’s tale is an enchanting blend of history, mystery, and light romance, peppered with a touch of paranormal intrigue. The novel’s atmosphere leans into cozy magical realism rather than dark fantasy, creating a warm, accessible tone suitable for readers of all ages. Fisher’s characters are endearing and well-drawn, and the romance between Lizzy and Antony, while gentle and restrained, evokes a deep emotional connection that adds depth to the story.

The holiday season setting imbues Grimm Curiosities with the spirit of Christmas, making it an ideal read for winter. Like a modern fairy tale, this novel captures the essence of magic and the joy of unexpected discoveries. Fans of historical fiction with a dash of whimsy and heart will find much to enjoy in Fisher’s charming narrative.

Lizzy Grimm is struggling. After her father’s recent death, she and her mother were making ends meet thanks to the family’s eerie antique shop and the seances her mother held to contact the genuine spirits of the recently departed. However, after a mysterious incident that left her mother unable to communicate with anyone, Lizzy struggles to keep the shop open and keep a roof over her head. The arrival of a mysterious gentleman shopper provides a glimmer of hope when he says he is willing to pay any price for a particular set of books that Lizzy knows is in the shop’s cellar- books that her father refused to sell to anyone. But there’s something to the gentleman’s requests that leaves Lizzy uneasy. Still, the choice is between the books and destitution.

Enter Antony Carlisle, the wealthy son of a local lord whose sister suffered the same affliction as Lizzy’s mother after she, too, spoke with ghosts. Circumstances bring him to Lizzy’s shop one autumn day, and the two find that they have more in common than having ailing family members. As they delve deeper into the mystery of the books in the cellar, they find clues that could lead to answers regarding their loved ones’ afflictions- and mortal peril.

Grimm Curiosities is one of those books that is overlooked when it shouldn’t be. Thanks to social media, books that have beautiful covers and sassy ‘Strong Female Characters’ get all the attention, and sadly, many books like these are poorly written, making many readers wonder why they’re getting so much attention in the first place. Meanwhile, solid writers like Sharon Lynn Fisher are being overlooked- and that’s a shame. Grimm Curiosities is an excellent book that captures the atmosphere and social structure of 1850s England, while also having just the right amount of magic, adventure, and romance.

Because I’ve been studying English history, I am picky when it comes to historical fiction. Nothing will throw me out of a story faster than a glaring anachronism. This is why I’m happy to report that Fisher put the story together so well that if there was something out of place, I didn’t notice it. I was having too much fun with the characters and the mystery they were trying to solve to notice if some bit of fashion or technology was obviously out of place. The autumnal atmosphere of Victorian York was right up my street, and following Lizzy and Antony was pure fun. Every time I picked up this book, I didn’t want to put it down again, and while there were certain plot twists I guessed well in advance, there were still plenty of things that I didn’t predict. Is that a sign of a well-written book? I think so. I appreciate it when an author can lay down enough clues to make me feel like a clever reader for picking up on them, but I also want to be surprised now and then.

Grimm Curiosities was pure entertainment from beginning to end, and I will be revisiting it and trying out the rest of Sharon Lynn Fisher’s books in the future.